Funkadelic

Funkadelic (formed in 1968) is an American funk group, largely credited with pioneering psychedelic-funk and the funk music culture of the 1970s. Led by George Clinton, the band was originally put together as an unnamed backing group for its sister act, Parliament. Bassist Billy Nelson later suggested the name ‘Funkadelic’ as a reflection of psychedelic culture.

Over the course of their career, Funkadelic released sixteen studio albums—the first three, (Funkadelic, Free Your Mind… and Your Ass Will Follow and Maggot Brain) had limited commercial potential, displaying strong psychedelic influences that would later influence funk, rock and hip-hop artists. Funkadelic’s most successful album, One Nation Under a Groove, is critically acclaimed as the “greatest funk album of all time” and listed as one of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

During the early ‘90s, the status of George Clinton and Funkadelic was re-established, placing them among the most important forces in the history of Black music. This resurgence in popularity was prompted by the rise of funk rock acts, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and funk-inspired rap artists—e.g. Dr. Dre, Digital Underground, Warren G—among others.